We’re heading into April, and just as the Prince song says, Sometimes It Snows in April, at least that’s what seems to be forecast for the next week. At any rate, it doesn’t appear to be enough snow to hinder our ability to get out and enjoy the visiting and resident musicians who are appearing around town. Remember, Music Lifts the Spirit.

Larry

Jazz

Wednesday, March 28

Patricia Barber @ The Dakota, Minneapolis. 7pm ($30, $40) Artful jazz from pianist/vocalist/songwriter Barber, whose low voice and slow delivery could be heard as sultry, there is more thought than seduction in her songs. It’s been a while since she appeared here in the Twin Cities, where she has many fans who are sure to welcome her back.

The Drowsy Chaperone @ The Lab Theater, 700 North 1st St, Minneapolis. 7:30pm ($10) Augsburg’s Music Theater Club is presenting this “loving send-up of the jazz age.” It won five Tonys for its show stopping songs and dance numbers, including Best Book, and Best Original score. For more information and tickets, go here. Here’s one of the songs from Sutton Foster.

Debbie Duncan Album Release @ The Dakota, Minneapolis. 7pm ($25) If you’ve been around the Twin Cities jazz scene for any time, you know what a treasure we have in vocalist Debbie Duncan. She’s got a new album and is celebrating its release with this two-night stand. Roane Shepperly, writing for Mid-West Jazz, describes her thusly: “Her voice, like the garments she often wears, is full of shimmering gold threads, intricately woven around rich dark textures and warm honey tones.”

Jon Weber @ Dual Citizen Brewing, 725 Raymond Avenue, Saint Paul. 7pm ($25 suggested donation) This benefit for the Twin Cities Jazz Festival is being held at a new brewery, just South of University on Raymond Avenue. Weber is a Jazz Fest regular who skill at playing any kind of piano style is matched by his command of musical trivia. Always a delight.

The Beavers @ The Hook & Ladder, Minneapolis. 6-8pm (Free) This quintet of women will charm you with their quick wit and humor as they play bluegrass and old-timey music.

Thursday, March 29

Koch-Marshall Trio/with guest David Grissom @ The Hook & Ladder, Minneapolis. 7:30pm ($15 Advance/$20 Door) The Koch-Marshall trio is a blues-based organ trio that delivers echoes of funk, jazz, rock, and country over heavy grooves. Guitarist David Grissom is a heavy hitter who’s played with Joe Ely, John Mellencamp, Buddy Guy, the Allmans, Dixie Chicks, Ringo Starr and more.

Shemekia Copeland and Carolyn Wonderland@ The Dakota, Minneapolis. 7pm ($40, $45) It’s a twosome of strong blueswomen. Copeland is a two-time Grammy nominee, whose big voice and her way with the blues seems to come naturally. After all, she’s the daughter of the late Johnny Copeland. Though Wonderland is a bit of a multi-instrumentalist, she’s best known for her soulful vocals and her ability to plumb the Texas blues tradition with her fierce, original guitar playing. Here’s Wonderland in Des Moines a few days ago.

Los Amigos Invisibles @ Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis. 7:30pm ($20 Advance/$25 Door) Originally from Venezuela, Los Amigos create a dance-til-you-drop mix of Latin and funk rhythms. At their last appearance at the Cedar, they packed the place with smiling, twirling, and dancing fans.

Friday, March 30

Big George Jackson @ Schooner’s, Minneapolis. 8:30pm (Tip Jar) Big George is a big-voiced bluesman who can sing low down as well as boogie with the best.

The Committee @ Minnesota Music Cafe, Saint Paul. 9pm ($10?) The Committee is composed of vocalists Maurice Jacox, Deb Brown, and Aisha Baker, who performed together in the Soul Tight Committee. They’ll be backed by a seven-piece horn band to perform “Old School R&B” from the likes King Floyd, Freda Payne, Taste of Honey, The Spinners, Al Green, Jackson 5, and Aretha Franklin, among others.

Sunday, April1

Natania & Ticket To Brasil @ The Icehouse, Minneapolis. 6pm ($8 Advance/$10 Door) Hot Sambas, cool jazz, and sensuous bossa novas from this septet, with the extra added attraction of vocalist Natania, a Brazilian native now living in Saint Paul.

Well, though there is still snow on the ground, and perhaps a bit more in the coming week, it actually is Spring, and sunshine and warmth can’t be far behind. Celebrate by getting out to some live music and letting it lift your spirit.

JC Sanford’s Triocracy @ Khyber Pass Cafe, Saint Paul. 9pm ($5) Trombonist JC Sanford retuned to the Twin Cities after 16 ears of establishing himself in NYC. Since then he’s taken on a number of projects, including a big band. Tonight it’s chamber jazz with Sandford and saxophonists Brandon Wozniak and Bruce Thornton.

Max Weinberg’s Jukebox @ The Dakota, Minneapolis. 7pm ($45, $55, $65) Older readers may remember the Johnny Carson feature “Stump the Band,” where audience members would name a tune and the Tonight Show Band would attempt to play it. Well, Weinberg, drummer for Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band, is bringing a quartet to the Dakota and inviting audience members to call out requests, which results in an entertaining evening that can take many twists and turns, depending on the taste of the audience.

Maurice Jacox @ The Mudd Room, Mendota. 8pm (Tip Jar) Vocalist/saxophonist Jacox is equally at home with the Great American Songbook, the songs of Nat King Cole, and acoustic versions of Motown. The speakeasy vibe of the Mudd Room, along with a fine selection of food and drink and an engaged audience, makes for a lively evening. He’ll be joined by Thomas West on keys and Rob Stupka, drums.

Prudence Johnson & Dan Chouinard: A Night of Gershwin @ The Dakota, Minneapolis. 7pm ($30, $35) A second night of Gershwin this week, this time by the oh-so-creative duo of Dan Chouinard on keys; and Prudence Johnson on vocals. Here’s an example.

For more listings, KBEM provides a calendar of jazz and roots music. For further commentary on Twin Cities jazz, check out the blogs, Jazz Ink, and Bebopified.

Blues, Roots, Other…

Wednesday, March 21

Barbaro on KFAI and @ The 331 Club, Minneapolis. 5pm (90.3 & 106.7FM), 7pm (331 Club – Tip Jar) Barbaro is a 5-piece progressive bluegrass band that’s been around for 2 years now. They describe themselves as playing music for films about cooking, with spicy instrumentals, savory harmonies, and to-the-point songwriting. Tune in to hear them and head to the 331 to see them in person.

Also: Graham Nash @ The Dakota, Minneapolis. 7pm ($75-$115) Good luck getting a ticket, as this pricey but unique show is sold out.

Thursday, March 22

New Orleans Suspects @ The Dakota, Minneapolis. 7pm ($30, $35) the members of this New Orleans “supergroup” have played with The Neville Bros, James Brown, The Dirty Dozen, Bonerama, and Leo Nocentelli, among others. Needless to say, they can lay down a second line beat, New Orleans funk, or any other danceable tunes you can imagine.

Buckethead @ The Cabooze, Minneapolis. 9:30pm ($22) This guitar shredder and jam band favorite has performed across many genres, including progressive metal, funk, blues, and avant-garde music. He’s released over 300 studio albums , written scores for a number of movies, and performed with such artists as Guns N’ Roses, Les Claypool, Bernie Worrell, and Bootsy Collins. Tonight he will be performing solo tonight, with no band.

Thursday – Sunday, March 22-25

Zeitgeist Early Music Festival @ Studio Z, Saint Paul. 7:30pm Th-Sat, 2pm Sun ($15 / $10 students & seniors / $40 festival pass) This four-day event celebrates the music of African-American minimalist composer Julius Eastman. Dozens of artists will perform over the four days, with pieces for four percussion, flour pianos, mixed ensembles, two flutes, and more. For more information and the program for each show, go here. Here’s an example of his music by a different ensemble.

Friday, March 23

Jeffrey Broussard & The Creole Cowboys @ The Eagles Club #34, Minneapolis. 7pm ($?) The Krewe de Walleye once again brings a Louisiana guest to town. This time it’s Jeffrey Broussard, who was a member of the legendary Zydeco Force. He and his Creole Cowboys take a contemporary approach to Creole classics and modern zydeco tunes, so be sure to deck yourself out in dancing’ duds.

The Claudettes Album Release @ The Dakota, Minneapolis. 7pm ($17 – $22) This Chicago group mashes up all sorts of music, from the piano blues of Chi-town, to punk rock, 60s soul, jazz-age burlesque, and rockabilly music. In other words, they are hard to describe. Led by piano-pounder Johnny Iguana, the group includes Berit Ulseth, vocals; Zach Verdoom, bass & vocals; and Matt Torre, drums.

Flamin’ Ohs & Trash Street @ The Hook & Ladder, Minneapolis. 8pm ($9 Advance/$12 Door) The Oh’s were pioneers of rock videos back in the day, producing hard-edged, Midwest rock that got them to Max’s Kansas City and the Peppermint Lounge in NYC. Since reforming in1997, the group has released three albums, including a live session at Moby Dick’s in the 80s. Opening is Trash Street, purveyors of simple melodies, blazing guitars, and pounding drums.

Dance ’Til You Drop @ The History Theater, Saint Paul. 7:30pm as well as 2pm Mar 31 & Apr 7, ($25-$40, $15 Student) This production, created in collaboration with Collide Dance Theater, looks at the Dance Marathon fad of the 1930s, when times were so desperate that folks were willing to try to dance for days on end to win cash prizes. Presented Thursday through Saturday until April 15. For more information, go here.

Gang of Mischief @ Neumann’s, North Saint Paul. 4pm – 7pm (Tip Jar) Wile away a Sunday afternoon in the oldest continually operating bar in the state, enjoying blues and roots music as played by Harpmaster Harold Tremblay, along with Rena Haus, guitar & vocals; Dan Schwalbe, guitar; and Mark Rizzardi, bass; and a special guest in the “hot seat.”

An Evening with Altan @ The Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis.7:30pm ($27 Advance, $30 Door) Altan is a traditional Irish band that has been winning awards and entertaining audiences around the world ever since they were the first Irish band of their kind to be signed to a major label (Virgin), back in 1996.

Tuesday, March 27

Meshell Ndegeocello @ The Dakota, Minneapolis. 7pm ($45, $55), 9pm ($35, $45) Ndegeocello is an R&B original who has just released her 12th album, entitled Ventriloquism. It’s a fine album of 80’s tunes, in which she recasts songs from her youth, such as Atomic Dog, in which she uses a slightly down & dirty blues guitar and an ethereal choir to reveal the foundations of the song. Other songs include Smooth Operator, where its Caribbean underpinnings have been replaced with a rhythm that approaches drum & bass, and Sometimes it Snows in April, which is slowed down even more than the original by Prince.

For a more comprehensive listing of blues (and some roots) events, see the MN Blues Society calendar. For a comprehensive listing of Cajun and Zydeco events, see the Krewe de Walleye calendar.

Saint Patrick’s Day is this weekend, and there are plenty of places to celebrate with Irish music, especially in Saint Paul. There are also opportunities to celebrate with blues and jazz, if that’s what gives you energy. After all, music lifts the spirit.

Larry

Jazz

Wednesday, March 21

Jimmyapolis Trio @ The Hook & Ladder, Minneapolis. 6pm – 9:30pm (Free) James “Jimmyapolis” Wallace is a veteran sax player who has been around since the 60s, playing in R&B and jazz bands. He’ll be joined by a pianist for this show, which is part of the Hook’s Piano Lounge series.

Jose James: Lean On Me @ The Dakota, Minneapolis. 7pm ($30, $40, $50) Soulful, elegant vocalist and Minneapolis native James is a rising star in the jazz firmament. He’s flexible enough to have performed with Chico Hamilton and the electronica artist Flying Lotus, and has released four well-received albums, including a tribute to Billie Holiday. For this show, he celebrates the music of Bill Withers (with Withers blessing) accompanied by his band: Brad Allen Williams, guitar; James Francis, keys; Rueben Rogers, bass, and Nate Smith, drums, all of whom have stellar resumes.

The Music & Activism of Julius Eastman @ Studio Z, Saint Paul. 6pm ($10) This is part of the Lowertown Listening Sessions, which tonight features percussionist/ composer, and historian, Davu Seru, leading a discussion of Eastman, an African American minimalist composer. After his death in 1990, Eastman’s compositions were ignored until recently. The program will include a performance of Eastman’s work Evil Nigger arranged for four mallet instruments and performed by Patti Cudd, Heather Barringer, Eri Isomura, and Bjorn Grina.

Blood Quantum @ Khyber Pass Cafe, Saint Paul. 9pm ($5) Erik Fratzke of Zebulon Pike & Happy Apple, bass; and Tim Glenn, of Pentacene & Squid Fist, on drums. Their music is described as “fractal doom for strings and percussion.” Interpret that how you will.

Saturday Night Jazz @ The Black Dog, Saint Paul. 7pm (Tip Jar) Saxophonist Pat Moriarty is the band director at Roseville High School, and consistently draws out the best in his students. Tonight, the Roseville HS Jazz 1 Band is the opening act at 7pm – part of the monthly JazzINK Youth Showcase. At 8:30pm, it’s the Pat Moriarty / Ellen Lease Quartet, with Moriarty, saxes, Ellen Lease, piano; Chris Bates, bass; and Davu Seru on drums. Their music is composed on the spot, and just may break any pre-conceptions you may have about “free jazz.” Here’s Moriart and Lease with a different rhythm section. Here are Lease & Moriarty with a quintet.

Arne Fogel: September of My Years @ Crooners’ Dunsmore Room, Fridley. 6:30pm ($15) Vocalist and Crosby/Sinatra musicologist Fogel revisits Sinatra’s iconic album that celebrates aging. After all, Fogel has been in the music/broadcast business for 50 years or so, a good time to explore the reflective lyrics of the album. Fogel will be accompanied by Rick Carlson, piano & music director, Gary Schulte on violin, and Gordon Johnson on bass. His first performance of this show last fall sold out, so be forewarned. Here he is with another song identified with Sinatra, fronting the Acme Jazz Company.

Sunday, March 18

Jane Monheit @ The Dakota, Minneapolis. 7pm ($30, $40), 9pm ($25, $35) It’s been twenty years since Monheit’s gorgeous voice and vocal range brought her to a second place finish at the Thelonious Monk Competition, and consequently to the attention of the jazz world. Since then Monheit has released nine albums and has guested on a number of others. She’s now taken her gift and in 2016 released an album of songs associated with a main inspiration: The Songbook Sessions: Ella Fitzgerald.

For more listings, KBEM provides a calendar of jazz and roots music. For further commentary on Twin Cities jazz, check out the blogs, Jazz Ink, and Bebopified.

Blues, Roots, Other…

Wednesday, March 14

Fabulous Minnesota Barking Ducks Trio on KFAI and @ The 331 Club, Minneapolis. 5pm (90.3 & 106.7FM), 7pm (331 Club – Tip Jar) The FNB Ducks have been delivering driving blues to audiences around the state for nigh unto 30 years. Tonight they’re a trio, led by original Duck and tasty guitaristMic McCormick, with Ed Dunn on bass, and Kit Kildahl on guitar and occasional harp.

Omar Sosa & Sectou Keita Transparent Water Trio @ The Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis. 7:30pm ($28 Advance/$30 Door) Pianist/Composer Omart Sosa has been nominated for a Grammy 7 times. He’s partnered with U.K.-based Senegalese kora master and singer Seckou Keita, and folkloric Venezuelan percussionist Gustavo Ovalleson on a new CD, Transparent Water Trio. This is the latest example of Sosa’s use of new combinations of instruments and cultures.

SPCO’s Liquid Music @ Amsterdam Bar & Hall, Saint Paul. 6pm ($20) Nathalie Joachim is a multi-genre performance artist, flutist, and composer who will be exploring Haitian song and the role of women’s voices in Haitian culture. The Wall Street Journal calls her performance “A unique blend of classical music, hip-hop, electronic programming, and soulful vocals reminiscent of neo-R&B stars like Erykah Badu.”

Thursday, March 15

DL Cajun Dance Band @ The Eagles Club #34, Minneapolis. 8pm ($7) Get out those dancing shoes and two-step, twirl, and waltz your way around the commodious dance floor at the Eagles Club.

Friday, March 16

Irish Diplomacy @ The Black Dog, Saint Paul. 8pm (Tip Jar) Get a head start on Saint Patrick’s Day with this 9-piece Celtic band that dips into jazz.

Jonathan Richman @ The Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis. 8pm ($18 Advance, $20 Door) Jonathon Richman has been charming audiences with his warm, conversational lyrics since the early 70s, when his band, The Modern Lovers, thrilled audiences looking for something more than corporate rock. He’s been working with drummer Tommy Larkins (Naked Prey) for many years now, bringing his insightful, and often humorous lyrics to fans.

Tinsley Ellis Album Release @ The Dakota, Minneapolis. 7pm ($30, $35) After four decades in the blues, incendiary guitarist Ellis is releasing his 20th album, Red Clay Soul, celebrating the music of Georgia and its environs. While Ellis is often identified as a blues-rock guitarist, his ballads reveal his gutartistry is well founded in traditional blues.

Willie Walker @ Vieux Carré, Saint Paul. 9pm ($12) Soul Survivor Willie Walker’s star is finally on the rise after being one of the best kept secrets in the Two Cities for decades. In 2016 he won two Blues Music Awards for his album, If Nothing Ever Changes, and this year he’s nominated in five categories for his album After A While. He’s had rave reviews for the album, been featured in Downbeat and on the cover of Blues Blast, and performed at Yoshi’s in San Francisco, as well as Europe and South America. Lucky for us, we can get to see him in the intimate basement speakeasy of the Hamm building.

Boiled in Lead and Sister Tree @ The Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis. 8pm ($12 Advance/$15 Door) This is the 35th Anniversary Concert for this high-energy Celtic/rock band, that plays dark, traditional folk ballads and instrumental dance tunes that may just cause the Cedar to levitate.

Dan Rein: Celebrate Spring & CD Release @ The Hook & Ladder, Minneapolis. 6pm – 9:30pm ($8 Advance/$10 Door) Long time host of KFAI’s Century Song, Dan Rein presents world music that truly lives up to the stations motto of Radio Without Boundaries. He’s released a CD, Just One Breath, singing the poetry of Omar Khyyam in Persian and English, playing Setar and Dutar, and will be celebrating the Persian New Year and the advent of Spring. Appetizers from Gandi Mahal, where Rein regularly performs, will be available.

Tuesday, March 20

Trench Size Trio @ Amsterdam Bar & Hall, Saint Paul. 9pm (Free) This trio, consisting of Al Bergstrom, Bass; Joey Van Phillips, drums; and Tom Reichert, guitar; are enamored with the funk and second line sounds of New Orleans, particularly those of the Meters, so if you’re in a mood to get up and get funky on the dance floor, this is the place to be.

Tuesday, Wednesday, March 20, 21

Graham Nash @ The Dakota, Minneapolis. 7pm ($75, $100, $115) Well, for the price of nosebleed seats at some arena shows you can see Graham Nash up close and personal in a 250-seat club, telling stories and singing songs from his long career, as a member of the Hollies, with Crosby, Stills, & Nash and it’s permutations, and as a solo performer.

For a more comprehensive listing of blues (and some roots) events, see the MN Blues Society calendar. For a comprehensive listing of Cajun and Zydeco events, see the Krewe de Walleye calendar.

Well, in spite of the snowstorm of the last few days, Spring is approaching, days are getting longer, and Daylight Savings Time will begin this weekend. We have a good balance of visiting and resident artists appearing for our pleasure, a special Birthday residency by a jazz legend, and three nights of Latin Dancing on the calendar. Soo… get out and hear some music – it lifts our spirits.

Larry

Jazz

Wednesday, March 7

Cecile McLoren Salvant @ The Dakota, Minneapolis. 7pm ($35, $45), 9pm ($30, $37) Vocalist Salvant sings unique and often little known songs, from the early 20s onward, to her own originals. Singing in English, French, and Spanish, she has an elastic voice and unerring improvisation, as well as a command of various styles, and seems to be in line to build on the legacies of Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughn, and Ella Fitzgerald.

Red Planet w/Bill Carrothers @ Crooners’ Dunsmore Room, Fridley. 7:30pm ($15, $22) Bill Carrothers is a highly regarded pianist who grew up in Saint Paul and now lives in the UP of Michigan, close enough to perform at the Dunsmore Room every few months. Red Planet is a fusion trio that brings taste and imagination to the genre, thanks to members Dean Magraw, guitar; Chris Bates, bass; and Jay Epstein, drums. The four released an album late last summer that received four stars from Downbeat.

Thursday – Sunday

Charles Lloyd’s 80th Birthday Residency @ The Dakota, Minneapolis. 7pm, 9pm ($55 – $125) This may be the hot ticket of the year, as sax master Charles Lloyd leads three different groups over the course of four nights. Britt Robson wrote an enlightening article in Tuesday’s Star Tribune describing the groups and how Lloyd chose the Dakota to celebrate his 80th birthday. You can read it here. Here is one of the groups – appearing Friday and Saturday.

Le Percheron @ Khyber Pass Cafe, Saint Paul. 9pm ($5) Le Percheron is led by bassist Adam Linz, and features up and coming young lions Levi Schwartsberg on vibes; Noah Ophoven-Baldwin on cornet, and Corey Healy on drums. They create music that is at once accessible and adventurous.

JazzMN Orchestra: The Commission Project @ Hopkins High School, 2400 Lindbergh Drive, Minnetonka. 7:30pm ($31,$38) The JazzMN Orchestra is a 7- piece band, with a number of the area’s best musicians. Tonight’s program is The Commission Project, featuring the premier of new works by John Wasson – A Minnesota native and award-winning composer, conductor and performer, whose arrangement of “Caravan” was featured in the movie Whiplash; David Berger – Conductor and arranger for the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra in NYC; and resident artists Dean Sorenson, Director of Jazz Studies at the U of MNH; and Adam Meckler, a vibrant trumpeter, educator, and leader of the Adam Meckler Orchestra. The evening also includes guest vocalist Andrew Walesch. Here’s the Orchestra with a classic.

Tuesday, March 13

Maud Hixson: Moon River & Mercer @ Crooners’ Dunsmore Room, Fridley. 7:30pm ($15) Once again, Ms Hixson has hit upon a perfect theme to showcase her warm, sophisticated vocals, this time celebrating the music of Johnny Mercer, lyricist and composer responsible for such songs as Fools Rush In, That Old Black Magic, the lyrics to Skylark, Satin Doll, Summer Wind, and of course, Moon River. She’ll be joined by her frequent pianist, the ever tasteful Rick Carlson. Here she is doing a song from early 20th Century.

Melissa Aldana @ Vieux Carré, Saint Paul. 7pm ($20) Tenor Saxophonist Aldana left her native Chile in 2007 to study at Berklee school of music. In 2009 she moved to New York, where she apprenticed with Greg Osby and George Coleman, among others. In 2013 she became the first female instrumentalist (and the first South American) to win the Thelonious Monk Competition. Her influences include Sonny Rollins, Don Byas, Gene Ammons, and Chris Potter. She’ll be appearing with her chordless trio – Pablo Menares, bass; and Jochen Ruekert, drums.

Tuesday, Wednesday, March 12, 13

Jose James: Lean On Me @ The Dakota, Minneapolis. 7pm ($30, $0, $5) Soulful, elegant vocalist, and Minneapolis native, James is a rising star in the jazz firmament. He’s flexible enough to have performed with performed with Chico Hamilton and the electronica artist Flying Lotus, and has released four well-received albums, including a tribute to Billie Holiday. For this show, he celebrates the music of Bill Withers (with Withers blessing) accompanied by his band: Brad Allen Williams, guitar; Sulllivan Fortner, keys; Ben Williams, bass, and Nate Smith, drums, all of whom have stellar resumes.

For more listings, KBEM provides a calendar of jazz and roots music. For further commentary on Twin Cities jazz, check out the blogs, Jazz Ink, and Bebopified.

Blues, Roots, Other…

Wednesday, March 7

Pistol Whippin’ Part Penguins on KFAI and @ The 331 Club, Minneapolis. 5pm (90.3 & 106.7FM), 7pm (331 Club – Tip Jar) This 5-piece string band features 2 guitars, a mandolin, a bucket of fiddles, an upright bass, a banjo, and a 4 part vocal harmony. They’re preparing to record their fourth album of folk, rock, blues, and bluegrass. Listen in and head to the 331 Club if you like what you hear.

Thursday, March 8

Brazlian Night @ Crooners’ Dunsmore Room, Fridley. 7:30pm ($10, $15) The Dunsmore Room will be taken over by the sensuous rhythms of Brazilian music as performed by Lucia Newell, a vocalist who spent two years performing with Brazilian artists in Rio, accompanied by Clea Galhano, a renowned recorder player from Brazil, Joan Griffith on guitar, and Gordy Johnson on bass. A rare opportunity.

Joanne Shaw Taylor @ Vieux Carré, Saint Paul. 8pm ($40 Advance/$45 Door) The UK’s hot blues rock guitarist/singer finally makes her way to the U.S. and Twin Cities after touring world-wide and breaking out with appearances on Jools Holland’s TV show and rave reviews for her album Wild.

Friday, March 9

Salsa del Soul @ Dayblock Brewing, Minneapolis. 9pm ($12) I‘m not sure if this is in the tap room or upstairs in the ballroom, which seems a more appropriate place to handle the outpouring of dancers whenever this 9-piece band plays its repertoire of Latin rhythms.

Saturday, March 10

Chino Latino Jazz Project @ Jazz Central, Minneapolis. 7-10pm ($12, $7w/Student ID) This 7 -piece Latin Jazz ensemble will turn the basement club into a dance studio, with a free latin dance lesson at the beginning of the evening, and a special dance demonstration by professionals from the Arthur Murray dance studio.

Charanga Tropical @ the Icehouse, Minneapolis. 9:30pm ($7) This is the third Latin Dance gig in five days, this time featuring Cuban Danzones, as well as well as modern salsa, originals, and other Latin dance rhythms. The Icehouse usually removes tables to make room for the dancers that flock to this band.

Wednesday, March 14

D.O.A.: A Rite of Passage @ Trylon Microcinema, Minneapolis. 7pm ($10) This 1980 Rockumentary about the beginning of punk follows the 1978 American tour of the Sex Pistols, (after which they broke up) and also includes fiery performances by X-Ray Spex, Generation X with Billy Idol, Sham 69, and the Dead Boys. It also includes one of the last interviews recorded with Sid Vicious and Nancy Spungen, three months before their deaths. Here’ the film’s trailer.

For a more comprehensive listing of blues (and some roots) events, see the MN Blues Society calendar. For a comprehensive listing of Cajun and Zydeco events, see the Krewe de Walleye calendar.